Northeastern University won the 2025 Form and Function Robotics Challenge. | Source: MassRobotics
MassRobotics this week announced its fourth annual Form and Function Robotics Challenge. For the challenge, selected university teams will have the opportunity to compete for a $10,000 grand prize. There are $1,000 awards for second and third place, as well as a $1,000 Audience Choice Award.
Applications are now open and will be accepted through Feb. 2, 2026. The challenge invites participants from around the world to showcase innovative robotics projects. The challenge will culminate in live, in-person demonstrations for industry leaders, investors, and the broader robotics community at the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo. The event will be in Boston on May 27 and 28.
MassRobotics said it is the largest independent robotics hub dedicated to accelerating innovation, commercialization, and adoption. Its stated mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and AI technology companies.
The nonprofit added that it provides entrepreneurs and startups with the workspace, resources, programming, and connections they need to develop, prototype, test, and commercialize their products and solutions.
MassRobotics seeks creative solutions to real problems
The Form and Function Robotics Challenge gives students a platform to demonstrate creative solutions for a range of problems, said MassRobotics. It is looking for projects that balance compelling design with real-world functionality.
MassRobotics said will evaluate submissions on both technical execution and presentation quality. The organization added that it will emphasize systems that work within realistic prototyping constraints while delivering strong form and function.
Previous winning teams have represented leading institutions. These include Northeastern University, Tufts University, Seoul National University, Harvard University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, the University of British Columbia, MIT, Indiana University Bloomington, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and the University of Waterloo.
Seoul National University won the 2024 Form and Function Challenge. | Source: MassRobotics
Partners to support Form and Function Challenge teams
MassRobotics partners Advanced Micro Devices, Dassault Systèmes, Harmonic Drive, Maeden, maxon motor, and Mitsubishi Electric are supporting the challenge.
“AMD is committed to powering the next generation of robotics startups by delivering the right platforms that enable breakthrough innovation,” said KV Thanjavur Bhaaskar, robotics lead at AMD. “That journey begins at the source, academia, where bold ideas are first imagined and engineered.”
“Mitsubishi Electric Automation is proud to support the Form and Function Robotics Challenge and our longstanding partnership with MassRobotics,” added Dr. William Nguyen, development manager at MEAU. “By providing students with access to industrial-grade PLCs, HMIs, Servos, Robotics simulation software, we’re helping bridge academic innovation with real-world automation.”
“At maxon, we’re excited to back the Form and Function Robotics Challenge by providing student teams with the high‑precision motors and controllers they need to bring their concepts to life,” said Nicole Mathieu, senior inside sales engineer for mobility solutions and industrial automation at maxon. “This initiative connects classroom innovation with the performance standards of real‑world engineering.”
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